Machine for forming annular sheet metal workpieces



Nov. 17, 1953 J. G. KAY 2,659,407

MACHINE 'FOR FORMING ANNULAR SHEET METAL WORKPIECES Filed Dec. 22, 19509 Sheets-Sheet l 1N VEN TOR. John G. Kay BY ATTORNEY Nov. 17, 1953 J. G.KAY 2,659,407

MACHINE! FOR FORMING ANNULAR SHEET METAL WORKPIECES Filed Dec. 22, 19509 Sheets-Sheet 2 A TT ORNE Y N5. 17, 1953 J. G. KAY 2,659,407

MACHINE FOR FORMING ANNULAR SHEET METAL WORKPIECES Filed D80. 22, 1950 9Sheets-Sheet 3 F g I o ADIESS 65 INVENTOR. I 5 5% John (I. May

W am.

ATTORNEY Nov. 17, 1953 J. G. KAY 2, ,407

MACHINE FOR FORMING ANNULAR SHEET METAL WORKPIECES Filed Dec. 22, 1950 9Sheets-Sheet 4 45 2A INVENTOR. A F 5 John C1 W L I r 7 1| 2L BY 1 9 in Sl 1 55 a W ATTORNEY Nov. 17, 1953 J. G. KAY ,4 7

MACHINE FOR FORMING ANNULAR SHEET METAL 'WORKPIECES Filed Dec. 22, 19509 Sheets-Shet 5 F A5 an I" I v t 33 2 I M YINVEJNTOR.

F-lCnfl Iohncrlay BY M A TTORNEY Nov. 17, 1953 J. G. KAY 2,659,407

MACHINE FOR FORMING ANNULAR SHEET METAL WORKPIECES Filed Dec. 22, 1950BfShQ OtS-ShBBC 6 UM w 68 e1 51 5 5 8 38 M I \1 L 46 as M \28 y 28 IINVENTOR H021 Iohmfikqy aw A TTORNE Y Nov. 17, 1953 I J. a. KAY

MACHINE FOR, FORMING ANNULAR SHEET METAL WORKPIECES.

9 Sheets-Sheet '7 Filed Dec.

' lNVENTOR johncfi May M ATTORNEY J. G; KAY

Nov. 17, 1953 MACHINE FOR FORMING ANNULAR SHEET METAL WORKPIECES 9Sheets-Sheet 8 Filed Dec. 22. 1950 IN V EN TOR. 68 John (1- Kay ATTORNEYNov. 17, 1953 J. a. KAY 2,559,407

MACHINE FOR FORMING ANNULAR SHEET METAL WORKPIECES Filed Dec. 22, 1950 LI I 9 Sheets-Sheet 9 IN VEN TOR.

G W Q.M

ATTORNEY Patented Nov. 17, 1953 MACHINE FOR FORMING ANNULAR SHEET METALVVORKPIECES John Gilchrist Kay, Detroit, Mlch., assignor to The BuddCompany, Philadelphia, Pa., a cor-'- poration of PennsylvaniaApplication December 22, 1950, Serial No. 202,191

8 Claims.

The invention relates to a machine for diepressing annular metal blankshaving a depressed central portion and ends flaring outwardly from saidcentral portion, for example, such blanks as form an intermediate stagein the manufacture of dro center rims for automobile wheels. Suchmachine is generally of the type disclosed in copending application S.N. 70,552, filed January 12, 1949, in the names of Robert O.Greenshields et al. and entitled Method and Machine for Forming Rims andthe Like, now Patent No. 2,586,029, February 19, 1952.

It is a general object of the invention to simplify the construction ofsuch machine, to provide against serious injury to the machine due tocareless operation, and to provide simple and reliable feeding mechanismfor feedin the blanks to and from operative relation to the machine.

These and other objects and advantages and the manner in which they areattained will become fully apparent from the following detaileddescription when read in connection with the drawings forming a part ofthis specification.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a central vertical sectional view, on line l-l of Fig. 10,through the die mechanism of the machine showing the workpiece to beformed in position, and the dies fully open; the position of the partsbeing that at the beginning of the downward stroke of the press;

Fig. la is a diagrammatic view showing the relative positions of asafety pin and a cam on the crankshaft of the press and parts associatedtherewith, corresponding to the stage of the press cycle shown in Fig.1;

Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1, this view showing a stage in thedownward stroke of the press in which the lower die is supported on thesafety pin in slightly spaced relation to the lower die shoe, the weightof the lower die having just been transferred from its support by theupper die shoe to its support by the safety pin;

Fig. 2a is a view similar to Fig. 1c showing the relative position ofthe parts at the stage in the press cycle shown in Fig. 2;

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 1, this view showing a later stage inthe downward stroke of the press in which cams carried by the upper dieshoe have just engaged the cam faces on the radially-movable closing-indies, which are held vertically-spaced a predetermined distance from theupper face of the lower die shoe;

Fig. 3a is a view similar to Fig. 1a showing the relative position ofthe parts at the stage in the press cycle shown in Fig. 3;

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 1, this view showing a further stage inthe downward stroke of the press in which the cams have moved theclosing-in dies radially inwardly into engagement with the workpiece,and holes in the bottoms of the closing-in dies have been brought intovertical alignment with respective supporting pins projecting upwardlyfrom the lower die shoe; at this stage, the lower die has starteddownward from its position indicated in the preceding figures but hasnot yet come in contact with the lower die shoe;

Fig. 4a is a view similar to Fig. 1a. showing the relative position ofthe parts at the stage of the press cycle shown in Fig. 4;

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 1, this view showing a further stage inthe downward stroke of the press in which the lower die support has cometo rest upon the lower die shoe, with the safety pin in its loweredposition; at this stage the lower parts of the telescoping camprojections carried by the upper die shoe have come into contact withthe press bed and started totelescope; at this stage no work has yetbeen performed on the workpiece;

Fig. 5a is a view similar to Fig. la showing the relative position ofthe parts at the stage of the press cycle shown in Fig. 5; I

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 1, this view showing the final stage inthe downward stroke of the press in which the dies have closed to formthe workpiece to the desired shape; in this final stage the upper andthe closing-in dies move downwardly together and the supporting pins forthe closing-in dies enter the holes in the bottoms of the respectivesuch dies;

Fig. 6a is a view similar to Fig. 1a showing the relative positions ofthe parts at the stage of the press cycle shown in Fig. 6;

Fig. 7 is a side elevational view, partly diagrammatic, of a press towhich the invention has been shown applied, this view illustratingparticularly the cam on the end of the crankshaft of the press and themeans associated therewith and connecting it to the safety pin (shown indotted lines) to control the vertical movements of the latter;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary enlarged view, as seen from the front of thepress, parts being broken away and shown in section, the line of sectionbeing indicated by the line 88 of Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 is an enlarged detail sectional view, the section being takenalong the line 9-9 of Fig. '1;

Fig. 10 is a horizontal sectional view, the section being takensubstantially along the line ill-l0 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 11 is an enlarged detail sectional view through a stop pin forlimiting the upward movement of the plate carrying the closing-in dies;this view showing the plate at the upper limit of its movement and thesection being taken substantially along the line ll--ll of Fig.

Fig. 12 is a view similar to Fig. 11, but showing the closing-in diecarrying plate in its lowered position;

Fig. 13 is an inside elevational view of one of the cam supports carriedby and projecting down.- wardly from the upper die shoe, as seen fromthe line l3-I3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 14 is an outside elevational viewof said cam support, as seen fromthe line 14- of Fig. 1;

Figs. 15 and 16 are enlarged detail sectional views taken respectivelyon the lines Ii--I5.and

|6-l6ofFig. 1;

Fig. 17 is a fragmentary sectional detail view on an enlarged scale,showing the relative position of the dies as the closing-in diesapproach their radially inner position; in this position they engageunder the upper flange of a finished workpiece to support it, in theevent the operator is careless enough to leave a finished workpiece inthe press, and then operates the press to execute its cycle ofoperation; the safety pin is here shown in its raised position, holdingthe lower die support and the finished workpiece in a. raised positionwhich makes possible the engagement of the closing-in dies under itsupper flange to support it;

Fig. 18 is a view similar to Fig. 17, but at a later stage of the cyclein which the closing-in dies have moved radially inwardly to grip theworkpiece and the lower die support hasstarted downwardly with the,dropping of the safety pin; it will be seen that the die operation eanbecompleted, from this position of the parts, and the workpiece restruck,without damage to the machine;

Figs. 19 and 20 are views similar, respectively, to Figs. 17 and 18, butshowing what would happen if a finished workpiece were leftin themachine and restruck, without the provision of the safety device of thisinvention; in this event. the lower die and the workpiece would descendto their lower position as shown, before the closingin dies havecontracted to support the workpiece,

with the result that the workpiece would be dis torted somewhat as shownin Fig. 20, and serious injury to the machine would result;

Figs. 21 and 22 are views similar, respectively, to Figs. 17 and 18,showing the action of the dies upon an unfinished workpiece, these viewsbeing shown for ready comparison with Figs. 17 and 18 where the dies areoperating on a finished workpiece:

Fig. 23 is an elevational view of a portion of the front of the machine,showing the feeding mechanism in its relation to the cooperating partsof the machine, the upper die shoe and press plunger or ram being shownnear the upper limit of their movement and just engaging the feedingmechanism to lift it in their further upward movement; the finishedworkpiece is shown seated on the lower die which moves with the upperdie in this portion of the stroke of the press;

Fig. 24 is a similar view of the left-hand side of the machine with theparts shown in a further raised position in which the guiding rails havebeen moved inwardly, by the stationary cams on the press frame, toengage under the top flange 4 of the finished workpiece; in this viewthe mechanism for accelerating the upward movement of the feedingmechanism is about to become operative in the further upward movement ofthe press plunger;

Fig. 25 is a similar view of the right-hand side of the machine showingthe workpiece lifted off the lower die by the accelerated movement ofthe feeding mechanism over that of the plunger of the press in the lastof the upward stroke thereof;

Fig. 26 is a plan view of the feeding mechanism with parts shown more orless diagrammatically and in section, the position of the parts in thisview corresponding generally to that shown in Fig. 23;

Fig. 27 is a similar plan view of the feeding mechanism with the partspositioned substantially as shown in Fig; 25, a finished workpiece beingshown in full lines in central position and in dot-and-dash lines in aposition about to be discharged from the machine;

Fig. 28 is a side elevational view of the feeding mechanism, parts beingshown in vertical section through the center line of the machine, thisview showing a finished workpiece about to be pushed, by a workpiece tobe formed in the machine, along the rails toward the discharge endthereof Fig. 29 is a similar view of the feeding mechanism, showing thefinished workpiece leaving the rails and the unfinished workpiecelocated centrally of the machine in axial alignment with the upper andlower dies; this view also shows in dot-and-dash lines, a furtherposition of the finished workpiece as it leaves the machine;

Fig. 30 is a view similar to Fig. 25. but showing only the left-handside of the machine. showing the unfinished workpiece and the associatedparts in positions corresponding to their positions in Fig. 29;

Fig, 31 is a view similar to Fig/23, but showing only the right-handside of the machine, with the rails moved outwardly and the workpiecedropped down and resting on the lower die;

Fig. 32 is a detail part-sectional view through the rail supports,showing the spring means for at all times urging the rails outwardlyagainst the cams on the press frame; and

Fig. 33 is a sectional view taken on the line 33-33 of Fig. 32.

The invention has been shown in connection with a machine formanufacturing drop center rims to substantially their final form inwhich they have, as is perhaps best seen in the enlarged view of Fig.17, side flanges l0 and II, adjacent bead seats I2 and [3, respectively,and a central drop center base It, interconnected with the bead seats byinclined side walls I5 and it, respectively. The rim is shown as anasymmetrical rim in which one side wall, as It, is inclined more gentlythan the other; but it will be understood that the invention is equallyapplicable, by the selection of suitable die faces, to other forms ofrims or to other contoured annular members.

This finished or formed workpiece is designated throughout the viewsgenerally by the reference letter F. The unfinished workpiece, or theworkpiece to be formed, on the other hand. isdesignated generally by thereference letter U.

This unfinished workpiece U comprises, as clearly shown in Fig. 21, adepressed central portion ll, of substantially the diameter of thedepressed portion ll of the finished workpiece the descent of theplunger.

F and flared end portions tapering radially outwardly from said centralportion and designated, respectively, l8 and I9. The diameter of themargins of said tapered portions corresponds generally to the diameterof the margins of the finished workpiece F.

The die mechanism forming a main feature of the invention is designedfor association with a single-action vertical press of the type inwhich, at each cycle of operation of the press,.a plunger or ram, guidedby the standards or side frames of the press, descends from a raisedinoperative position to a lower working position and is returnedautomatically to its raised position, after which the cycle of operationis repeated.

Such a press is shown full length in Fig. '7 in side elevation, andcomprises a frame designated generally by resting on a suitable floorfoundation and having mounted in its upper head portion 2|, carried byspaced standards 'or side frames, as 22, rising from the base or bed 23of the press, the usual crankshaft 24. This crankshaft 24 is connectedin a usual manner to the plunger or ram 25, see Fig. 23, to reciprocateit. The drive to the crankshaft 24 is through the usual gearing,designated generally by 26 and a motor 21 supported on top of the frameI! and driving the gearing through the usual belt and pulley connection.

Since the press per se forms no part of the invention, its generalworking need be no further described. Where the press has been modifiedto incorporate the invention, such modification will be explained in thefollowing description.

Referring now to Figs. 1 to 22, showing the die mechanism and the mannerin which it is controlled in the operation of the press, it will be seenthat such mechanism comprises a lower die shoe I28 seated on the pressbed 23 and an upper die shoe 29 secured to the plunger 25, see Fig. 23,and movable with it in the press cycle. Pilot guide pins P operating insuitable guides (Figs. 10, 11 and 12) are provided between the upper andlower die shoes 28 and 29. Centrally of the upper die shoe and rigidlysecured thereto is an upper die 33, adapted to engage the radially innerface of the upper end of the workpiece in Opposed to this upper die is alower die 3| carried by a plate 32. This lower die is adapted to engagethe radial inner face of the lower end of the workpiece, and is adaptedto support the workpiece.

It is movable from a raised position, shown in Fig. 1, in which theworkpiece is seated thereon, to a depressed position in which it seatson the lower die shoe. Its movement is controlled in part by themovement of the plunger of the press and in part by the crankshaft ofthe press.

Through the first part of the downward movement of the plunger andattached upper die 30. the lower die 3| moves with them, since itscarrying plate 32 is supported through rods, as 33, by a plate 34disposed below the press bed, these rods sliding in openings in thelower die shoe 2B. The plate 34 is, in turn, supported from the upperdie shoe 29 by rods, as 35, whose lower ends pass freely through holesin the plate 34, and support it through adjustable screwthreadedabutments 36 on the lower ends of the rods 35.

For cooperation with the upper and lower dies and 3|, an annular seriesof normally outwardly-located radially movable closing-in dies 3'! areprovided. These dies are slidably carried by a plate 38 which isnormally held raised a predetermined slight distance above the lower dieshoe 28, see Figs. 1, 2, and 11. The means for so holding it maycomprise an air cushion of telescopic cylinder-piston type 39 the pistonof which is supported from the press bed by rods, as 40, see Fig. 1, andthe cylinder of which supports the plate 38 through rods, as 4|,slidable in openings in the lower die shoe 28 and freely passing throughopenings in the plate 34.

To limit the upward movement of the closingin dies under the action ofthe air cushion, stop means are provided. As clearly shown in Figs. 11and 12, such stop means may comprise pins 42 secured in the lower dieshoe 28 and having sliding engagement with openings in the plate 38carrying the closing-in dies. At their upper ends, these pins haveenlargements 43 which engage the top of the plate 38 to limit its upwardmovement under the yielding pressure of the air cushion 39.

To provide for the safe operation of the machine, even if the operatorcarelessly leaves a finished blank in the machine, and operates thepress for a restrike of the finished blank, safety means are provided toinsure that no harm can result in such event.

Such means comprises a positive stop to arrest the downward movement ofthe lower die 3|, at a point slightly raised above the lower die shoe,so that the workpiece is held in this slightly raised position until theclosing-in dies have been moved inwardly to engage the radially outerface of the blank, by means to be hereinafter described.

Such positive stop is shown as comprising a vertically sliding pin 44mounted in the lower die shoe 23 and whose movements are timed with thepress cycle and controlled by a cam 45 on the end of the crankshaft 24.See Figs. 1a to 6a inclusive, 7, 8, and 9. This pin is normally, thatis, during most of the vertical stroke of the press, held in raisedposition, as shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 3, by a lever-linkage mechanismoperatively interconnecting the pin and cam. Such lever-linkagemechanism comprises a bell crank lever 46 mounted in the lower die shoe28 and having one arm engaging the lower end of the pin 44, a link 4?,connecting the other arm of said lever 46 to one arm of a second bellcrank lever 48 pivotally mounted on a bracket 49 secured to the adjacentside frame 22 of the press frame 26. A long link 50 connects the otherarm of the bell crank 48 to one end of a curved lever 5|, which lever ispivoted intermediate its ends at 52 to a bracket 53 and has at itsopposite end a cam-follower roller 54.

To provide for adjustment between the cam and cam-follower roller,the-bracket 53 is pivotally mounted on the axis of the cam shaft throughbearings 55 and has one end thereof connected to a rod 56, see Fig. 7,having an adjustable connection 5'! at its lower end to the press frameN. This provides for the accurate timing of the release of the safetypin with the press cycle.

The closing-in dies 31 are moved inwardly on the descent of the pressplunger through the interaction of cam faces 53 carried by cam supports59 secured to the lower face of the upper die shoe, and correspondingcam faces 68 on the respective die carriers 6| for the closing-in dies'31. One such cam support is provided for each closing-in die and, sinceall of them are similarly constructed, a description of the constructionof one will suffice.

7 On the outer face of each cam support is provided a'cam face 62 whichis arranged to engage a co-acting face 63 on the die carrier 61 to causethe outward or opening movement of the dies II on the return stroke ofthe press.

In the present construction, the cam supports 99 are made of twotelescopic parts, see Figs. 1 and 13 to 15 inclusive, an upper part 59aand a lower part 59b, these two parts being held extended by springs 64and limited in their relative telescoping movement by the pin and slotconnection 65. This telescopic construction is provided to avoid cuttingholes into the press bed to receive the camcarrying supports.

Referring to Figs. 1, 2, and 3, it will be seen that the closing-in dies31 are positively held in their raised position by short pins 66projecting upwardly from the lower die shoe 28 through openings in theplate 38 to sldingly engage the underside of the closing-in die carriersBl. When the dies have been moved radially inwardly to the positionshown in Fig. 4, where they are shown moved into engagement with theradially outer face of the workpiece, these pins are brought intovertical alignment with the openings 61 in the respective die carriers,after which the air cushion alone opposes the descent of the diecarriers and closing-in dies 31. These positive holding pins areprovided to prevent bouncing of the closing-in dies and their carrierson the air cushion, when the cams 58, 59 engage to force the closing-indies inwardly.

After the closing-in dies 31 have been engaged with the work, as shownin Fig. 4, further descent of the press plunger causes the upper die todescend into engagement with the workpiece, so that the workpiece isgripped by the dies, as shown in Fig. 5. Up to this time, no work hasbeen done on the workpiece. The lower die has been released to descendand rest on the lower die shoe, and the upper and closing-in dies areabout to descend together in the final down ward movement of the pressplunger and the upper die and thus close in and form the workpiece, asshown in Fig. 6.

The enlarged views of Figs. 17 and 18 and 21 and 22 show the relativeposition of the dies in the final stages of the downward movement. Figs.17 and 18 show them when operating upon a finished workpiece F uponrestrike, and Figs. 21 and 22 are similar views showing the diesoperating upon an unfinished workpiece U.

The condition shown in Figs. 19 and 20, which would result in damage tothe machine, can never happen by reason of the fact that the safety stoppin 44 positively prevents the descent of the lower die, as here shown,before the closing-in dies have moved in to engage and support theworkpiece independently of the lower die.

With the machine as so far described, it will be seen that the dieoperation is adapted for either closing-in upon a finished or anunfinished blank equally without causing any damage to the machine. Itis thus made foolproof and in sured against the possibility that afinished blank is left in the machine and the press then operated.

To speed up the operation, the machine is further provided with awork-feeding and discharge mechanism which facilitates the feeding ofthe unfinished work U into the machine and the discharge of the finishedpiece F therefrom. This feeding mechanism is shown in Figs. 23 to 33inclusive in association with related parts of the press and the dies.

This feeding mechanism co prises as a main element thereof, two spacedguiding and supporting rails i1, 61 which extend fore and aft of themachine between the side frames 22, see Figs. 26 and 2'7, and aresupported thereby for limited vertical movement as well as movementtoward each other to engage the workpiece or away from each other torelease it. Each rail 61 is mountedon a pair of horizontal arms 69, oneengaging each of the rails at one end thereof and having its oppositeend secured to a vertically slidable frame, generally designated 69.Such a vertically slidable frame is provided at both the fore and aftsides of the machine to support the respective ends of the rails. Eachof these frames comprises vertical rods as III interconnected at the topby a transverse member H, see Figs. 23, 24, and 25. The vertical rodshave their lower ends slidably mounted in tubular sockets 12 secured tothe lower die shoe 26. Abutment blocks 18 having an inwardly extendingshoulder 16 are secured on the rods just below the top transverse memberII. The rods also pass through openings in the upper die shoe 29.

The vertical movement of the rails 61 is imparted to them by thevertical movement of the press plunger and the attached upper die shoe,and the in and out movement of the rails is imparted to them through theengagement of roller cam followers I6 with cooperating cams l6 fixedlymounted at the fore and aft sides of the side frames 28. To cause therail movement to follow the cams, horizontal members 68 carrying therails are formed as telescoping members 69a, 68b, one 6841 carrying therail and follower and sliding on the other 68!), which is rigidlysecured to the adjacent rod 19. The rails are constantly urged outwardlyby a spring 11 housed in the telescoping support member, see Figs. 32and 33.

To lift the finished workpiece off the lower die there is provided anaccelerated movement to the rail-carrying frame 69 in the final upwardmovement of the press plunger. According to the invention, thisaccelerated movement is attained by mounting two-armed levers, as 18, onthe top of the upper die shoe 29 in such position that one end of eachlever is in position to engage the adjacent shoulder II on the frame 69to cause the other end to rise and lift a pin 19, slidably mounted inthe transverse member II. This pin 19 is in position to engage anadjustable stop pin mounted in a transverse member 6| rigidly carried bythe side frames 22 of the press.

As the press plunger approaches the top of its stroke, the parts are inthe position shown in Fig. 23, with the upper die shoe 29 engaging theabutments I3 and starting to lift the frame 69. The rails 61 are locateddirectly opposite the workpiece F in position to engage under the topflange thereof when moved inward. In the further upward movement fromthe position shown in Fig. 23, the frame 69 moves with the upper dieshoe 29 and the cams 16 force the rails inwardly as shown in Fig. 24 toengage under the upper flange of the workpiece. At this point the pins19 engage the associated stops 80. and these act through the two-armedlevers 18 to accelerate the upward movement of the frame 69 over that ofthe upper die shoe, and thereby lift the finished workpiece off thelower die, as shown in F18. 25.

While the press is stopped in this upper position, the finishedworkpiece F, see Figs. 28 and- 29, is pushed along the rails toward theback of the machine by the operator feeding an unfinished workpiece Uonto the rails and to the center of the machine, see Figs. 28 and 29. Asshown in Figs. 26 and 27, the rails are cut away at 82 at the rear ofthe machine so that the finished rim F falls down to the position shownin full lines in Fig. 29, where it strikes a tilting bar 83, whichcauses it to tip over and slide down an incline 84 away from themachine. The un-v finished blank U is readily centered in the machine bydepressions G'la out into the rails at this central location, see Figs.26 and 27.

Now when the press is operated with the workpiece U in position shown inFigs. 29, and 30, the rails 51 are caused to move down and then separateas shown in Fig. 31, and the workpiece is deposited on the lower die.

The operation of the machine with the workpiece so in place on the lowerdie will now be described. Ihe parts are now in substantially theposition shown in Fig. l, with the closing-in dies 3'! radially removedfrom the path of the lower die 3| and workpiece U seated thereon, andare positively held in slightly raised position above the lower die shoeby the pins 66, and'further yieldingly by the air cushion. 39. At thisstage of the press cycle, the upper and lower dies are moving downwardlytogether since the lower die 3| is supported by the rods 35 moving withthe upper die 30. The safety pin 34 is held in the raised position bythe cam 45, the follower E i having just engaged the high portion of thecam, through the interconnected lever-linkage, as shown in Fig. 1a. Thecam supports 59 from the upper die shoe 29 engage the closing-in diecarriers 6! to hold the closing-in dies 3? in radially outward position.i

In the further downward movement of the press plunger and upper die 30attached thereto, as shown in Fig. 2, the lower die has moved down toseat upon the in 44, where it is raised slightly above the lower dieshoe 28, so that the workpiece is supported in horizontal alignedposition for engagement by the closing-in dies 37, the closing-in diesare still held in their outer posi tion, and the upper die 30 is movingdownwardly independently of movement of the lower die, since theabutments 36 on rods have moved away from the plate 34. As shown in Fig.2a, the cam is still holding the pin 44 in the raised position.

In the succeeding stage shown in Fig. 3, the lower and closing-in diesare still in the position of Fig. 2, but the upper die has approachedthe workpiece. The cams 58 on the upper die shoe are just engaging thecams $0 on the closing-in die carriers 6!, to move them radiallyinwardly. The safety pin 44 still is held inoperative posi tion by thecam 45, 'as shown in Fig. 3a.

In the next stage shown in Fig. 4, the closing- .2

andithe upper die 30 and the closing-indies 31 are about to descend AsshowninFig. 5a," at

Fig. 5, all the dies this stage the safety pin 44 is in inoperativelowered position.

In the final stage of the forming operation shown in Fig. 6, the pressplunger has descended to its lower limit, and the dies have closed in.

upon the Work to form it to its desired shape. In this and the precedingstage, the cam supports 59,

having engaged with the press bed are shown The upward stroke of thepress starts with the parts in the position with their partstelescoping.

of Fig. 6, and the movement is generally the reverse of that describedin the working stroke, except that now the finished workpiece is raisedby the lower die 3! to the position shown in Fig. 23, after which thefeeding mechanism takes hold, as already described, and lifts it off thelower die, as shown in Fig. 25. It can then be pushed out of the machineby feeding a new workpiece along the rails 61 toward the center of themachine, as shown in Figs. 27, 23, and 29. After the new workpiece hasbeen centered on the machine, the press is again operated, and

in this first of the downward movements of the plunger, the workpiece isdeposited on the lower die, as shown in Figs. 30 and 31, after which, in

the further cycle of the press, the operation above described. isrepeated.

While a specific machine has been herein fully described in detail, itwill be understood that changes and modifications may be made, by thoseskilled in the art, without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention, as expressed in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a machine for forming an annular sheet metal workpiece, such as adrop-center automobile wheel rim, the machine including a verticalsingle-action press having a bed, side frames supported on and risingfrom the bed, and a plunger mounted for vertical sliding movement be-itween the side frames toward and away from the it is held slightlyraised above its final lower posi tion where it rests on said lower dieshoe, an

upper die shoe secured to said plunger, an upper die carried by saidupper die shoe in opposed relationship to the lower die, a group ofradially movable dies mounted on the press in such position andrelationship that'when moved radially in one direction'they engage theannular work piece between the upper and lower dies which engage it onthe opposite surface, said radially" movable dies also being mounted forlimited vertical movement above said lower die shoe,

means on said press for positively supporting said radially movable diestemporarily: above the, lower press shoe while the radially movable diesare located in a position away from the workpiece but freeing them tomove down upon th'e lower die shoe when they have movedfully against theworkpiece, and means on said press timed with the movement of saiddiesfor releasing said lowerdie from its temporary positive stoppingmeansafter all of said dies have fully engaged the workpiece, wherebythe assembly'of dies and workpiece will be brought down upon- 11 thelower die shoe to provide a solid reaction to the final working movementof the dies.

2. In a machine for forming an annular sheet metal workpiece, such as adrop-center automobile wheel rim, the machine including a verticalsingle-action press having a bed, side frames supported on and risingfrom the bed, and a plunger mounted for vertical sliding movementbetween the side frames toward and away from the press bed in a cycle ofoperation of the press, the combination therewith of a lower die shoesupported in fixed position on said press bed, a lower die mounted forvertical movement in the press above said lower die shoe, the lower diein its uppermost position standing clear of adjacent parts for receivingan annular workpiece thereon, means on said press for positivelystopping said lower die temporarily in an intermediate position whenmoving downward wherein it is held slightly raised above its final lowerposition where it rests on said lower die shoe, an upper die shoesecured to said plunger, an upper die carried by said upper die shoe inopposed relationship to the lower die, a group of radially movable diesmounted on the press in such position and relationship that when movedradially in one direction they engage the annular workpiece between theupper and lower dies which engage it on the opposite surface, saidradially movable dies also being mounted for limited vertical movementabove said lower die shoe, means on said press for positively supportingsaid radially movable dies temporarily above the lower press shoe whilethe radially movable dies are located in a, position away from theworkpiece but freeing them to move down upon the lower die shoe whenthey have moved fully against the workpiece, and means on said presstimed with the movement of said dies for releasing said lower die fromits temporary positive stopping means after all of said dies have fullyengaged the workpiece, whereby the assembly of dies and workpiece willbe brought down upon the lower die shoe to provide a solid reaction tothe final working movement of the dies, said temporary positive stoppingmeans for the lower die including a vertically slidable pin mountedbeneath the lower die, said releasing means for the lower die holdingsaid pin positively in its upper position until the dies have convergedon the workpiece and then freeing said pin to drop down.

3. In a machine for forming an annular sheet metal workpiece, such as adrop-center automobile wheel rim, the machine including a verticalsingle-action press having a bed; side frames supported on and risingfrom the bed, and a plunger mounted for vertical sliding movementbetween the side frames toward and away from the pressbed in a cycle ofoperation of the press, the combination therewith of'a lower die shoesupported in fixed position on said press bed, a lower die mounted forvertical movement in the press above said lower die shoe, the lower diein its uppermost position standing clear of adjacent parts for receivingan annular workpiece thereon, means on said press for positivelystopping said lower die temporarily in an intermediate position whenmoving downward wherein it is held slightly raised above its final lowerposition where it rests on said lower die shoe, an upper die shoesecured to saidplunger, an upper die carried by said upper die shoe inopposed relationship to the lower die, a group: of radially movable diesmounted on the press'in such position and relationship that when movedradially in one direction they engage the annular workpiece between theupper and lower dies which engage it on the opposite surface, saidradially movable dies also being mounted for limited vertical movementabove said lower die shoe, means on said press for positively supportingsaid radially movable dies temporarily above the lower press shoe whilethe radially movable dies are located in a position away from theworkpiece but freeing them to move down upon the lower die shoe whenthey have moved fully against the workpiece, and means on said presstimed with the movement of said dies for releasing said lower die fromits temporary positive stopping means after all of said dies have fullyengaged the workpiece, whereby the assembly of dies and workpiece willbe brought down upon the lower die shoe to provide a solid reaction tothe final working movement of the dies, the press including a crankshaftfor moving the plunger, and said means for releasing the lower die beingactuated from a cam on said crankshaft.

4. In a machine for forming an annular sheet metal workpiece, such as adrop-center automobile wheel rim, the machine including a verticalsingle-action press having a bed, side frames supported on and risingfrom the bed, and a plunger mounted for vertical sliding movementbetween the side frames toward and away from the press bed in a cycle ofopertaion of the press, the combination therewith of a lower die shoesupported in fixed position on said press bed, a lower die mounted forvertical movement in the press above said lower die shoe, the lower diein its uppermost position standing clear of adjacent parts for receivingan annular workpiece thereon, means on said press for positivelystopping said lower die temporarily in an intermediate position whenmoving downward wherein it is held slightly raised above its final lowerposition where it rests on said lower die shoe, an upper die shoesecured to said plunger, an upper die carried by said upper die shoe inopposed relationship to the lower die, a group of radially movable diesmounted on the press in such position and relationship that when movedradially in one direction they engage the annular workpiece between theupper and lower dies which engage it on the opposite surface, saidradially movable dies also being mounted for limited vertical movementabove said lower die shoe, means on said press for positively supportingsaid radially movable dies temporarily above the lower press shoe whilethe radially movable dies are located in a position away from theworkpiece but freeing them to move down upon the lower die shoe whenthey have moved full! against the workplace, and means'on said presstimed with the'movement of said dies for releasing said lower die fromits temporary positive stopping means after all of said dies have fullyengaged the workpiece. whereby the assembiy of dies'andworlrpiecewilibebrought down upon the lower die shoe to provide a solid reac tion to thefinal working movement of the dies. the. pres including a crankshaft formoving-the plunger, said temporary positive stoppi fl means for thelower die including a vertically slidable pin mounted in the lower dieshoe beneath the lower die. and said means for releasing the lower diebeing actuated from a cam on said crankshaft.

5. In amachine for forming an annular'she'et metal workpiece, such as adrop-center automobile wheel rim, the'machine including a verticaisingle-action press"having a bed, side frames 13 supported on and risingfrom the bed, and aplunger mounted for vertical sliding movement betweenthe side frames toward and away from the press bed in a cycle ofoperation of the press, the combination therewith of a lower die shoesupported in fixed position on said press bed, a lower die mounted forvertical movement in the press above said lower die shoe, the lower diein its uppermost position standing clear of adjacent parts for receivingan annular workpiece thereon, means on said press for positivelystopping said lower die temporarily in an intemediate position Whenmoving downward wherein it is held slightly raised above its final lowerposition where it rests on said lower die shoe, an upper die shoesecured to said plunger, an upper die carried by said upper die shoe inopposed relationship to the lower die, a group of radially movable diesmounted on the pressin such position and relationship that when movedradially in one direction they engage the annular workpiece between theupper and lower dies which engage it on the opposite surface, saidradially movable dies also being mounted for limited vertical movementabove said lower die shoe, means on said press for positively supportingsaid radially movable dies temporarily above the lower press shoe whilethe radiallymovable dies are located in a position away from theworkpiece but freeing them to move down upon the lower die shoe whenthey have moved fully against the workpiece, and means on said presstimed with the movement of said dies for releasing said lower die fromits temporary positive stopping means after all of said dies have fullyengaged the workpiece, whereby the assembly 01' dies and workpiece willbe brought down upon the lower die shoe to provide a solid reaction tothe final working movement of the dies, the press including a crankshaftfor moving the plunger, said temporary positive stopping means for thelower die including a vertically slidable pin mounted in the lower dieshoe beneath the lower 7 die, and said means for releasing the lower diebeing actuated from a cam on said crankshaft through lever-linkage meansincluding a lever pivoted adjacent the axis of said crankshaft andcarrying a follower engaging said cam.

6. In a machine for forming an annular sheet metal workpiece, such as adrop-center automobile wheel rim, the machine including a verticalsingle-action press having a bed, side frames supported on and risingfrom the bed, and a plunger mounted for vertical sliding movementbetween the side frames toward and away from the press bed in a cycle ofoperation of the press, the combination therewith of a lower die shoesupported in fixed position on said press bed, a lower die mounted forvertical movement in the press above said lower die shoe, the lower diein its uppermost position standing clear of adjacent parts for receivingan annular workpiece thereon, means on c said press for positivelystopping said lower die temporarily in an intermediate position whenmoving downward wherein it is held slightly raised above its final lowerposition where it rests on said lower die shoe, an upper die shoesecured to said plunger, an upper die carried by said upper die shoe inopposed relationship to the lower die, a group of radially movable diesmounted on the press in such position and relationship that when movedradially in one direction they engage the annular workpiece betweenthe'upper andv lower dies which engage it on the opposite surface, saidradially movable dies also being mounted for limited vertical movementabove said lower die shoe, means on said press for positively supportingsaid radially. movable dies temporarily: above the lower press shoewhile the radially mov-.

able dies are located in a position away from the workpiece but freeingthem to move down upon the lower die shoe when they have moved fullyagainst the workpiece, and means on said press timed with the movementof said dies for reIeasing said lower die from its temporary positivestopping means after all of said dies have fully engaged the workpiece,whereby the assembly of dies and workpiece will be brought down upon thelower die shoe to provide a solid reaction to the final working movementof the dies, the press including a crankshaft for moving the plunger,

being actuated from a cam on said crankshaft through lever-linkage meansincluding a lever pivoted adjacent the axis of said crankshaft andcarrying a follower engaging said cam, the pivot of said lever beingmounted for angular adjust,

ment relative to said cam and crankshaft axis. 7. In a machine forforming an annular sheet metal workpiece, such as a drop-centerautomobile wheel rim, the machine including a vertical single-actionpress having a bed, side frames supported on and rising from the bed,and a plunger mounted for vertical sliding movement between the sideframes toward and away from the press bed in a cycle of operation of thepress, thecombination therewith of a lower die shoe supported in fixedposition on said press bed, a lower die mounted for vertical movement inthe press above said lower die shoe, the lower die in its uppermostposition standing clear of adjacent parts for receiving an annularworkpiece thereon, means on said press for positively stopping saidlower die temporarily in an intermediate position when moving downwardwherein it is held slightly raised above its final lower position whereit rests on said lower die shoe, an upper die shoe secured to saidplunger, an upper die carried by said upper die shoe in opposedrelationship to the lower die, a group of radially movable dies mountedon the press in such position and relationship that when moved radiallyin one direction they engage the annular workpiece between the upper andlower dies which engage it on the opposite surface, said radiallymovable dies also being mounted for limited vertical movement above saidlower die shoe, means on said press for positively supporting saidradially movable dies temporarily above the lower press shoe while theradially movable dies are located in a position away from the workpiecebut freeing them to move down upon the lower die shoe when they havemoved fully against the workpiece, and means on said press timed withthe movement of said dies for releasing said lower die from itstemporary positive stopping means after all of said dies have fullyengaged the workpiece, whereby the assembly of dies and workpiece willbe brought down upon the lower die shoe to provide a solid reaction tothe final working movement of the dies, said plunger carrying verticallymovingcam means for operating said radially movable dies inwardly andoutwardly, said cam means having elements providing for the necessaryvertical movement of said radially movable dies after they'have beenmoved into engagement with the workpiece.

8, In a machine for forming an annular sheet v metal workpiece, such asa drop-center autoammo-r 15 inbbne'm rim, the machine including averti-' cal having a bed, side frames supported on and rising from thebed, and a Manger mounted for vertical sliding movement between the sideframes toward and away from the press bed in a cycle or operation of thepress, the combination therewith of a lower die shoe supported in andposition on said press bed, a lower die Inoimted-ior vertical movementinthe preae above said lower die shoe, the lower die in its uppermostposition standing clear of adjacent parts for receiv'ingan annularworkpiece thereon, on said press for positively stopping said lower dietemporarily in an intermediate position mu moving downward wherein it isheld slightly 1;

rolled above'itsflnal lower position where it rests on said-lower dieshoe, an upper die shoe secured to said plunger, anupper die carried bysaid upper die shoe in opposed relationship tothe lower die, a group ofradially movable dies inountg ed on the press in such position andrelationship that when moved radially in one direction they engage theannular workpiece between the upper and lower dies which engage it onthe opposite surface, said radially movable dies also being mounted forlimited vertical movement above said lower die shoe, means on said pressfor positively supporting said radially movable dies temporarily abovethe lower press shoe while the radially movable dies are located in aposition away from the workpiece but freeing them to move down upon thelower die shoe when they have moved full! minst the workpiece, and meanson said press timed with the movement of said dies for 3!, upon thelower die shoe toprovide a solid reaction to thefinal working movementof the dies. means for continuously 'urgim said radially movable die!upward toward their topmost position, and said means for positivelysupporting said radially mov- 10' able dies temporarily holding saiddies at the proper height to aocm'ately maze the surface of theworkpiece before all of said dies are moved down with the workpiece.

JOE! crwrmre'r KAY.

Referencesfiitedintlnflleofthiflpaw UNITED PATENTS Number Name Date1145: 303 cdiamzmin Nov. 1m 1,2s,104 F'ralifii Nov. 19, 1918 1,568,083Osswald' an. 5, 1928' ,356,290 Prussifig may 3, 1932 1,886,033 LucasNov. 1, 1932 W 1,930,565 Rode Oct. 17, 1933 2,101,888 Ambroslus 14, 19372,105,239 Lobdell Jan 11, 1938 2,1 ,990 Le Jelme May 23. 1939 2,211, 09Grotnes Alli. 13, 19KB 2, 95,352 Le Jeune Sept. 15, 1942 2,324,982 KuhnJuly 20, 1943 2,444,339 Dinzl June 29, 1948 2,586,029 Greenshlelds Feb.19, I952

